1. Ash's Story (Part 10: Galar)

Chapter 75: Eternatus Unbound

Hammerlocke Stadium did not feel like a stadium anymore. The corridors glowed red from emergency lights and the strange storm pouring down from above, and every step deeper inside felt like walking through the heartbeat of something angry.

Oleana waited near the lift, but the cold control she had worn at Rose Tower was gone. Her hair had fallen loose from its perfect shape, and her hands shook when she saw Elena and me.

"Lady Elena, Mr. Ash," Oleana said, voice breaking. "You must help me. I mean... please, help me."

Elena stopped short. Her anger did not vanish, but concern cut through it. "Oleana, what's wrong?"

"My Pokémon suddenly Dynamaxed and began running amok inside the stadium. Mr. Raihan subdued the Pokémon here, but if others across Galar keep Dynamaxing, the underground power plant may collapse. Chairman Rose is down there."

"We know," I said. "That's where we're going."

Oleana swallowed hard. "Chairman Rose awakened a Pokémon called Eternatus. The energy from its body causes Dynamaxing. At this rate, Pokémon throughout Galar may lose control. I know this is selfish after what I did, but please save him. Please stop him."

Serena's eyes widened. "So the Darkest Day Pokémon has a name."

"Eternatus," Alice repeated, holding the Rusted Shield tighter.

Oleana pointed to the lift. "Take that down. I sent the Champion's younger brother ahead too, but I don't know what happened."

Pikachu crouched on my shoulder, cheeks sparking low while his paws tightened against my jacket, "The fear here is real now. No mask is left."

"Then we move," I said. Oleana tried to bow and almost lost her balance. Serena caught her elbow before she could fall, and Oleana looked at her with the stunned face of someone who had expected anger and received help instead.

"You trapped us yesterday," Serena said. "That still happened."

"I know," Oleana whispered, her voice barely holding together.

"Then help us fix today," Serena said.

Oleana nodded so quickly that her glasses slipped. "I will. I swear I will."

That mattered more than an apology in that moment. Galar did not have time for neat forgiveness, but it did need everyone still standing to choose the right direction before the storm chose for them.

The lift descended into the underground power plant, carrying us away from stadium noise and into the roar beneath it. Pipes trembled behind the walls. Red light pulsed through seams in the metal like the whole building had become a vein.

Elena stood in front, jaw tight. Alice held the shield. I carried the sword. Serena kept one hand near her Poké Balls, and Pikachu never relaxed.

When the doors opened, Hop was on the floor.

"Hop!" I ran to him, kneeling as he pushed himself up with shaking arms.

"I'm fine," he said, though he clearly was not. "Don't look at me like that. I'm nowhere near giving up."

Chairman Rose stood beyond him, coat torn at one sleeve, face pale under the red glow. The man who had spoken about Galar's future with calm certainty now looked like someone standing in the ruins of his own answer.

"Papa," Elena said. "What is happening?"

Rose closed his eyes for a second. "Leon has gone to the summit. He is battling Eternatus now. All we can do is hope he can contain it."